Top 21 Concealed Carry Guns: Comparisons and Rankings

I will stick with my Colt Commander…

I’ve discovered the Sig P938 SAS model, and it is far and away the best CC I’ve ever tried. I picked it up from PSA on a daily deal for $500. MSRP is pretty expensive for this little guy at $800, but for $500, I could not have done better. My 938 has ran like a top, and has experienced none of the reported issues the earlier models had.

Great stuff. I have been using these criteria in search of the “Holy Grail”. Right now I’m carrying a Tarus 709 I acquired some years back. I’m excited about the G43, just coming out. I have a G27. It is just too thick. Another weapon that a great gun is the Walther PPS. The only reason that isn’t my favorite is the magazine. It has some funky base plate that has a couple teeth on it that bites me during a empty gun reload. Great article. Love the process.

I personally will take the concealment, 8 round mag, and weight (loaded) of the Shield over any double stack 9 and any of the 6 round mag 9’s. The others are all top notch handguns but I really have replaced my glock 26 with my shield as everyday/all day carry.

You sure didn’t put much weight to the price since many are more expensive than many can afford. I chose a S&W SD9VE that cost me $289.99 that has a MSRP of $389. It is the size and weight of a Glock 19 and holds one more round. The trigger is not as good but it is so close to the Glock in all other aspects, it is scary.

I have a commander and it’s too heavy when the summer and/or warmer weather comes, I live in AZ and it’s just not practical. I’d like to see an article on CC revolvers. I wonder how the LCR, Bulldog and the Smith and Wesson revolvers do. That said, I’d like to check out the LC9. It’s supposed to be a great buy. That or the XDs in 45. Or may be a LCR or Bulldog. 🙂

I have a LC9s Pro and would agree with your evaluation of the pistol. I also have a P290RS and I really like it too. But to be truthful, I really want a P938 Scorpion.

I’m wondering why the Kahr K9 and MK9 are not on the list and also the CZ 75 Compact and or Rami?

I agree 2Think I like CZ; and carry a CZ 75b sa; highly modified. But that is more closer to a full size. I am very interested in the Springfield EMP; price doesn’t scare me but wish it was semi-double stack. could have got 11-13 rounds then. A lot of those listed I wouldn’t consider CC because of size but everyone is different.

Note the S&W 9mm Shield has a capacity of 7, while the Shield .40 caliber has capacity of 6. This does not affect the ranking within the Capacity Category.

Interesting that the only Walther’s was NOT what I consider CC. The PPS in 9mm (6,7,8 clips) & in .40 (5,6,7 clips) are .9+ inch width & about 16 oz.

My own EDC is a full size XD .45, but my back up is a Kel Tec PF9 so I’m a bit disappointed it’s not even on the list. While I prefer a full sized .45 for my main weapon, to me, my PF9 is accurate, easy to shoot and easy to conceal in a pocket holster.

Interesting review and I can agree with most of the criteria. A few notes on guns missed. Unless this was written a while ago H&K has recently lowered prices making the P2000 & P2000sk in the $650 price range great buys. Also the P30 is a lot cheaper.

Wow……..this looks into the innards of a bunch of the best known handguns we all know exist. My only critical comment has to do with the prices. Any of these fine pistols can be bought for much fewer bucks than mentioned, so much for that. From there on, the author does a great job of diliniating between the smaller 9mm. I’ve tried several…now found that I group with the Ruger LCsPro best of all. BUT…….the needle-like tip of the trigger becomes a problem to me after several rounds. I need to dull it some way.
Other than that, my final choice would have to be the newest Ruger. I’d been a behind-the-counter sales person for 30+ years, and have always said that Ruger makes the best for the buck of any other on the market. For me, now at 82, this has come to fruition.
jim/louisiana

One area not mentioned is reliability and function. Some of these like the Ruger LC9 do not function with all ammo. If it does not function everytime, everytime the trigger is pulled it’s not something for CC carry. The carry capacity is not fully correct. I carry the SA XD model 2 in 9mm. It will fully loaded carry 13+1 in the chamber. I have 2 extended mags that hold 16+1. Since most carry with a round loaded the numbers change.

I’ve had or have an EMP 40, Shield 40, Kimber Ultra 45, LCP 380 (have), Sig P938 SAS 9 (have), Sig P290RS, Kahr K9, Kahr MK40 (have), M&P 40C (have) – and my favorite is still the Kahr MK40. The EMP was nice, but it was not as accurate or as compact as the MK40. The P938 is nice when want something a little lighter and a wee bit sleeker (nice for ankle carry vs the Kahr). The LCP is very nice for ankle, vest or jacket pocket. I’ve zero issues shooting anything out of either of these firearms.

Glocks and Sigs — no thank you!

I appreciate your reply and comments. My brother purchased his Ruger LC9 but like in many areas we don’t have a place to test fire any particular gun. When we went out to try I brought some Sieller & Bellot ammo. After the first round nothing. He said it was due to a coating on the ammo that gumms up the firing pin so after he cleaned it it would again fire one round. He said it was just crappy ammo. I have not only shot the same ammo in my SA XD md2, I have yet to find any ammo, no matter how cheap, or where it come from to not fire everytime. Maybe he has a bad Ruger, yet unfortunately he won’t have it checked out. I have a Ruger LCP and it functions great.

Great information.
Ive shot many of the guns mentioned and own a couple. Now that ive found the Shield 9mm, I will always carry it. Ive got many thousands of rounds through it with zero problems. From very cheap ammo to top of the line carry ammo, never one issue. I paid $389 for it, cant beat that. The size is perfect and its very light. By far the best CC gun ive ever seen.

EMP’s weight, based on specs from Springfield is 27 oz with empty magazine. Impossible its weight loaded to be 24 oz.

Agree 100%

Thanks for the info, but I’ll keep my EDC to my Aluminum alloy framed CZ 75D Compact (PCR)…never hiccups, eats everything I feed it and is more accurate then my eyes!

You made a terrible mistake. The Ruger sr9c holds 17 rounds this ties the Ruger with the winner. Shame on you.

So many fine CCW pistols out. Even at a low starting price you will find something to fit you. I have the SR9C and very happy with it and a Kimber Solo and the same goes for that. Its almost to the point that the main selling point is aesthetics

I guess I am just a confirmed old fogey. I have been carrying a Springfield 1911 V-10 Ultracompact for many years. I know that there are a number of negative reviews about this firearm floating around but I have shot a very large number of rounds out of this pistol at both practice sessions and the defensive handgun classes I have taken over the years without a single (knock on wood) hiccup. I started with a Milt Sparks inside the waistband holster and, with only one repair, have found it to offer excellent retention of the pistol. If I had to pick another pistol I would be hard pressed to not go with another 1911 of some variety.

My daily carry is the Springfield XDS 45 APC..My Glock 23 .40 has more of a kick than the 45..Both very nice pistols..My wife carries the S & W 9mm..We are both members of the Seattle Police Range…Luke..I have my dad’s 1911 that he carried on the USS Enterprise CV-6 during WW11..He gave it to me when I came back from my 2nd tour in Viet Nam in 1968..My dad passed away in 1991..Haven’t shot it since then..It stays in my gun safe..

My CC piece is a XDs .45ACP it’s light and easy to concile been carrying it for over a year now in a Wright Leather Works Predator rig My wife’s carry is a Taurus 85 .38spl +p

I prefer an S&W Airweight 38 Sp+P w/ shrouded hammer as my concealed carry . Its draw and pull. No saftey to fumble with and no wasted moves when the adrenline is pumping. Plenty of knock down power, compact and light weight.

One of the best never mentioned is the Bersa Thunder. Great gun and very accurate.

I have the Ruger LC9s and Glock 43. Both awesome conceal carry weapons. Very accurate. The trigger pull on the Ruger is actually much better than the Glock. The Glock feels a little nicer in my hand though. Would highly recommend both.

Each particular model and caliber must be measured against real or perceived subject(s) targets. I have everything from my Beretta cal. 22 LR and its bigger brother, in caliber the cal .32. Walther enjoys a deservedly good ranking, my PK 380 is my consideration. My Sigs are the incredible P938 9mm short. For heavier carry my P 928 in 40 mm S&W. Finally I have my favorite big boys, Colt 1911s. The Commander and the original 1911, both are cal .45. Unfortunately the summer weather plays a large part in my consideration of a CCW. Tip my hat to my Beretta cal .32, or my Sig P938. Carry either in a rear hip pocket designed holster. With my shirt hanging out eliminates any indication of a CCW on my person.

Well done sir. I keep a spreadsheet of all the pistols I’m interested in purchasing, and I use exactly the same stats.

Well done sir. I keep a spreadsheet of all the pistols I’m interested in purchasing, and I use exactly the same stats.

I have 2 Model 1911’s in .45 ACP, another Browning M1911-22 caliber, a Beretta 92FS and a Bersa Thunder 9 MM. At the range this morning shooting offhand, the little Browning put 20 rounds in a 6″ circle at 15 yards in less than 2 minutes. The Bersa and and the .45 fared less well. The 45’s are Papa bear guns. The .22 is a Mama bear gun.

This afternoon, I bought a Browning M1911-380. It has a 4.25″ barrel, so it can put a 90 grain 9 mm XTP bullet out the muzzle at over 1000 fps. This gun is light, flat, accurate and deadly. It’s my new CC weapon because it’s the baby bear gun – Just Right.

On the H&K, curious why you chose the P30 instead of the P30SK? The SK is smaller, much less expensive, and still has all the features of the bigger model with the exception of 10 rounds instead of 15. But since the magazines are interchangeable, you can carry spares with 15 or 30 rounds.

Great write up Col. Ben.. thanks for putting this info together, very informative. I’d love to see a similar comparison with popular .380 ACP pistols, even though I carry 9mm, it would be great to see (and the wife is considering a .380 for her CCW). And, to all the ‘caliber bashers’,.. yes, you folks who think nothing less than the ‘stopping power of a ……. caliber’ is good enough to get the job done, I’d suggest you consider 2 things. 1) Read some research on actual shootings detailing the resulting terminal performance, one-shot-stop-percentages and effectiveness of several calibers side-by-side and 2) take into consideration the incredible enhancement in terminal performance that new bullet technology affords these ‘little calibers’ and the fact that many times, if not most times, it’s easier to put more rounds on target when you’re dealing with less muzzle flip, lower recoil and less rapport. #foodforthought Carry as big a caliber as you can comfortably, consistently shoot accurately.. and train constantly!

WHAAAT??!! NO CZ 2075 RAMI??!! Outstanding carry piece missed.

If I may say, this is a very good read. From the author’s explanation of his choices and why, to the helpful and genteel tone of these comments… nice job folks. I’m refining my CC choices and helping my daughter through the process, and this article and the comments are very helpful. I was at Sig P938 VS LC9S but I’ve recently added G43 to the list. I love my G30s, but it’s a lot to carry and conceal sometimes, and my S&W Bodyguard is… (well, ok, it’s a .380 and not my first choice). Thoughts?

I have an EMP in .40 cal. It is.an.excellent shooter. Beautiful fit and finish. I’m suprised this doesn’t get more credit in the ccw circles. I’ve owned and shot many similar pistols like the ultra carry and such. The EMP is a superior pistol. I assume the price has kept it out of the hands of many. I feel it’s worth every penny. Hard to put a price on safety. Great article!

I just bought a sig 224 (on CDNN for $559). I have seen very little publicity about it, but I am glad to see it included on this list–I think it is a WHOLE lot of gun in a small package.

list is incomplete; bersa bp9cc. excellent 9m cc underdog

Once again, these are not geared towards those of us on a budget , in my case <= $350. My favourite 9 mm is the Zastava M88A.

I would have not used MSRP as the pricing factor, because nobody ever pays MSRP. Just as one example, I’ve never seen a Glock 43 anywhere near $599. $449 is a typical price for that gun, less if they’re having a sale.

Excellent and accurate study. Using 9 mm as the cartridge caliber as choice.

Don’t know where you got your numbers from but some of them are way off.